In recent years, a few automakers have introduced what have become known as "retro" vehicles. These cars and trucks typically marry modern mechanicals with styling that recalls a successful model of the past. One of the newer additions to this retro vehicle trend is the Toyota FJ Cruiser.
The FJ Cruiser is a midsize SUV that harks back to Toyota's earlier and now iconic FJ40 Series of Land Cruisers. The original FJ40 was a tough, dependable four-wheel-drive truck sold in the U.S. from 1960-'83. It's generally assumed that the U.S. military's Jeep from WWII provided the inspiration for the FJ's predecessor, the BJ20.
Like the FJ40, the new Toyota FJ Cruiser has superior off-road capabilities. It's built on a truck-based, ladder-frame chassis and features a stout suspension and drivetrain. Much of its underlying hardware is similar to Toyota's 4Runner SUV. Toyota has designed the FJ Cruiser to be a bit more specialized, however. Compared to the 4Runner, it's smaller, less expensive and more capable in off-road situations, and it's designed to appeal to younger and more active consumers.
Current Toyota FJ Cruiser
